Abstract

Margaret Mahy (1936-2012), who passed away in July, was New Zealand’s most lively and distinguished writers of literature for children and young adults. She wrote in a wide range of genres—novels, poetry, picture books, chapter books, history and drama, and with a continual and joyful inventiveness of expression.

Her work was recognized in her lifetime by the Hans Christian Andersen medal, the Order of New Zealand, the Carnegie Medal (for her supernatural coming of age novels, The Haunting and The Changeover), as well as many other awards. And she was much loved by her readers, for works such as A Lion in the Meadow; The Boy Who Was Followed Home; The Tricksters; Aliens in the Family; Kaitangata Twitch; Alchemy; Down the Back of the Chair.

It seems appropriate to pay tribute to this wonderful writer, whose work was appreciated around the globe, and whose depth of thought and breadth of imagination have greatly enriched the literary world of readers young and old.

You are therefore invited to attend a tribute workshop, held at the Cambridge/Homerton Research and Teaching Centre for Children’s Literature. In this workshop, British and New Zealand experts in the field of children’s literature will give talks on Mahy’s work. Talks will be followed by a round-table discussion about Mahy’s unique contribution to the world of children’s literature.

Speakers:

Catherine Butler, University of the West of England: ‘The Librarian of Babel’

Adrienne Gavin, Canterbury Christchurch University: ‘Kiwi Ingenuity: Margaret Mahy, New Zealand Mythmaker.’

Elizabeth Hale, University of New England (Australia): ‘Security and Danger, Magic and Mystery, and the Marvels of Margaret Mahy.’

Alison Waller, University of Roehampton: ‘Margaret Mahy and Metaphors of Memory’

For further information, and to register to attend, please contact Elizabeth Hale, Visiting Scholar, Faculty of Education, Cambridge University: eh458@cam.ac.uk.